Mike McCarron

Toronto

Father & family first. For fun a forty year Canadian trucking & hockey industry veteran. Love every animal! #ProvenMaverick

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Articles

Economic storm clouds - and a silver lining

1 week ago | trucknews.com | Mike McCarron

I can always count on Murray Mullen, the top dog at the Mullen Group, to provide a little dry powder for a future column. Take his last quarterly call. Discussing Q1 2025, Mullen noted that trucking bankruptcies are at levels not seen in a decade or more. Conditions for many carriers are so dire that they may no longer be viable acquisition targets.
When it comes to M&A, yes, it’s a seller’s market

1 month ago | trucknews.com | Mike McCarron

Recently, I met with the owners of a trucking company about selling their business. Like a lot of truckers who watched their once-solid earnings erode over the last three years, they expected their balance sheet to firm up in 2025. The company is doing OK financially, but the owners aren’t sure if they can stomach more volatility. They want out but think it’s a bad time to sell. Hold on a minute. An uncertain market can be a great time to sell your business or make an acquisition.
Light the lamp for Canada

2 months ago | trucknews.com | Mike McCarron

One of the perks of having a daughter who works for the NHL is access to premier events. I’m spoiled, so when she asked if I wanted tickets to the 4 Nations Face-Off, I passed. It was a decision I would soon regret. The championship between Canada and the United States was one for the ages. I’ve never seen Canadians so passionate — because the game was about more than just hockey. It reminded me of the 1972 Summit Series. Back then, it was the Cold War, and Russia was our enemy.
Don’t let a crisis go to waste

Feb 12, 2025 | trucknews.com | Mike McCarron

For a few weeks, 2025 looked like a rebound year for Canada’s trucking industry. Truckers entered January in their strongest rate-negotiating position in two years. The post-Covid capacity glut and prolonged, painful freight recession seemed to be on the wane. Political change was in the air.
Could self-policing spell the end of Driver Inc.?

Jan 14, 2025 | trucknews.com | Mike McCarron

In November, I was the guest speaker at the Windsor Transportation Club’s annual Highway Carrier Night. My topic?: The future of the Canadian trucking industry: Combating Driver Inc. I was excited to present something I’ve been working on for some time — a way for the trucking industry to repair its battered public safety image and slow down Driver Inc.
Trucking trumped by Trump

Nov 13, 2024 | trucknews.com | Mike McCarron

On Nov. 5, I was glued to the U.S. news channels watching the election unfold. Leading up to the last day of voting, I wasn’t bullish on either candidate. In the end, I settled on Trump. I believe his pro-business narrative will be a big boost for North American trucking. Many people I spoke with in our industry shared my disdain for both candidates. But, unlike me, they were rooting for Harris.
Trucking's dirty underbelly is an embarrassment

Oct 16, 2024 | trucknews.com | Mike McCarron

It’s getting embarrassing to say you work in the Canadian trucking industry. I’m officially sick and tired of hearing about another carrier breaking the law. This week, drivers weren’t paid. Last week, it was immigration fraud. Last month, a carrier was caught making money selling jobs through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). No one dreamed of this crap 15 years ago, let alone actually did it. It started with the gig economy.
Mad Money: Why it’s never been more important to stay close to your banker

Sep 10, 2024 | trucknews.com | Mike McCarron

The last couple of years have not been kind to truckers. Just ask the bankers. I got an earful this summer at a Muskoka golf outing where I teed it up with two senior banking insiders. When they learned I was a trucker, they did not hold back. I heard all about how vested Canadian banks are in our industry. Their $54 billion in trucking business loans represent 3.4% of their total portfolio — more than double the oil and gas sector.
How nearshoring can benefit your trucking business

Aug 8, 2024 | trucknews.com | Mike McCarron

There hasn’t been much to cheer about in Truckville lately. Twenty-seven consecutive months of declining freight rates can be a little deflating. For too long, there have been too many trucks chasing too little freight. That’s starting to change as capacity exits the market. But nothing would move pricing like a surge in shipper demand. Which is why you should get acquainted with the concept of nearshoring. Nearshoring is about locating manufacturing closer to the end customer.
Red Seal of approval

Jun 12, 2024 | trucknews.com | Mike McCarron

My recent maiden voyage captaining an 18-wheeler convinced me that truck driving should be a Red Seal occupation. The Red Seal program sets national standards for skills and knowledge within a particular trade. There are currently 54 Red Seal occupations in Canada, including auto mechanic, cook, plumber, electrician, and heavy equipment operator. When these tradespersons complete their apprenticeship and pass a standard exam, they receive a Red Seal endorsement on their trade certificate.